The Brumbies' finals aspirations will be destroyed by 9.40pm, finished, caput. That is good news for Australian rugby fans, because at least John Connolly can pick a squad early and get them into a training camp: perhaps the Catching And Passing For Dummies class would be a good start. The Crusaders have crushed the life of opposing attacks with intense tackling in their past three games and while the Brumbies have Steve Larkham, the master of unlocking Fort Knox-style defence, it isn't enough. Veterans Larkham, George Gregan and Jeremy Paul play their final matches at home while skipper Stirling Mortlock is back from injury. But even King Kong couldn't stop the Crusaders from marching all the way. Again.